In 1854, Mr. Sikes published his excellent pamphlet on “Good Times, or the Savings Bank and the Fireside,” to which we have already referred.  The success which it met with induced him to give his attention to the subject of savings banks generally.  He was surprised to find that they were so utterly inadequate to meet the requirements of the country.  He sought an interview with Sir Cornewall Lewis, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, and brought the subject under his consideration.  The Chancellor requested Mr. Sikes to embody his views in a letter, and in the course of a few months there appeared a pamphlet addressed to Sir Cornewall Lewis, entitled “Savings Banks Reforms.”  Mr. Sikes insisted on the Government guarantee being given for deposits made in Savings Banks; but this was refused.

Mr. Sikes next proceeded to ventilate the question of Post Office Savings Banks.  He was disappointed that no measure for the improvement of Savings Banks had been adopted by Parliament.  The day appeared very distant when his cherished wish would be realized,—­that the Savings Bank should really become the Bank of the People.  But the darkest hour precedes the dawn.  When he had almost given up the notion of improving the existing Savings Banks, the idea suddenly struck him that in the money-order office there was the very organization which might be made the basis of a popular Savings Bank.

He communicated his plan in a letter to his friend Mr. Baines, then member for Leeds.  The plan was submitted to Sir Rowland Hill, who approved of the suggestions, and considered the scheme “practicable so far as the Post Office was concerned.”  The plan was then brought under the notice of Mr. Gladstone, who afterwards carried the Bill through Parliament for the establishment of Post Office Savings Banks throughout the country.

To use the words of Mr. Sikes himself,—­when predicting at the Social Science Association the success of the Post Office Savings Banks,—­“Should the plan be carried out, it will soon be doing a glorious work.  Wherever a Bank is opened and deposits received, self-reliance will to some extent be aroused, and, with many, a nobler life will be begun.  They will gradually discern how ruthless an enemy is improvidence to working men; and how truly his friends are economy and forethought.  Under their guidance, household purchases could be made on the most favourable terms—­for cash; any wished-for house taken at the lowest rent for punctual payment; and the home enriched with comforts until it is enjoyed and prized by all.  From such firesides go forth those inheriting the right spirit,—­loving industry, loving thrift, and loving home.  Emulous of a good example, they in their day and generation would nobly endeavour to lay by a portion of their income.  Many a hard winter and many a slack time would be comfortably got over by drawing on the little fund, to be again replenished in better days.  And if the plan were adopted,